Today I’m sharing my review of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emanuel Acho.
Synopsis
“You cannot fix a problem you do not know you have.” So begins Emmanuel Acho in his essential guide to the truths Americans need to know to address the systemic racism that has recently electrified protests in all fifty states. “There is a fix,” Acho says. “But in order to access it, we’re going to have to have some uncomfortable conversations.”
In Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, Acho takes on all the questions, large and small, insensitive and taboo, many white Americans are afraid to ask—yet which all Americans need the answers to, now more than ever. With the same open-hearted generosity that has made his video series a phenomenon, Acho explains the vital core of such fraught concepts as white privilege, cultural appropriation, and “reverse racism.”
In his own words, he provides a space of compassion and understanding in a discussion that can lack both. He asks only for the reader’s curiosity—but along the way, he will galvanize all of us to join the antiracist fight.
Why I Decided to Read this Book
Emmanuel Acho hosted the “After the Final Rose” episode of the last season of The Bachelor and did an outstanding job! I saw he had a book out so I decided to read it.
Rating
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My Thoughts
This is a great book to start with for someone looking to learn more how to be an anti-racist. I really enjoyed learning more about it from Emmanuel Acho’s perspective and learning more about him. I’ve read a few anti-racist books so a lot of things discussed in this book I already knew. However, it was interesting to listen to it from his perspective.
One of the things that made this book special too was all the resources and action items at the end of each chapter. It was so helpful and important because being anti-racist is not just about learning about racism in this country is about taking action against it.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Emmanuel Acho and I loved that format! I definitely recommend listening to it because you get to hear the emotion in his voice when he talks about his experiences. Emmanuel also just released a version of the book for young readers called Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy which would be great for parents.
Content Warnings
This book includes discussions about: Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder
Who I Recommend this Book to
I recommend this to anyone but in particular to those starting their anti-racist journey.
Get the Book!
Did this review of Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man convince you to read it? Check out the links below to order it from Bookshop.org and libro.fm. Please consider ordering it from a Black owned independent bookstore. This list of Black owned independent bookstores accepts online ordering.
If you’ve read this book let me know your thoughts in the comments!
